Flying with Garmin's INSANE D2 Mach 1 pilot watch

[@PubliusNaso]

The main problem with tech is that it gets replaced so quickly! Once upon a time my D2C was the bee's knees... mind you, it can do almost all of that (minus the pulse ox and the touch screen!) Also, and this has nothing to do with watches, but I passed my CPL flight test on Tuesday, so in 4 months time when my licence actually arrives in the post, I'll be a commercial pilot!

[@StefanDrury]

Hey PubliusNaso, huge congratulations on passing your CPL. I know you've been a part of this channel for many years now. I'm grateful for the support and really happy for you. I sincerely wish you all the very best with your flying career. Hope to be a passenger on one of your planes in the future.

[@PubliusNaso]

@@StefanDrury Thanks Stef! It's definitely been a worthwhile challenge, and you were certainly a corroborating inspiration of the doing it for its own sake, whether employment comes from it or not. My main hope currently is that one day my bank balance recovers 😂😩

[@wololo10]

yeah but you get what you paid for, a newer more modern one doesn't make yours worst, it's still the same as you bought it and thought it was a fair price for what you were getting

[@donidaniello21]

Im gonna buy this, not as pilot but as a passenger in an airline. The urge to know where im at in the sky is haunting =)

[@jean-manuelmoreau6471]

In a pressurized airplane it will be useless anyway and the screen in the seat will be as usefull for your position in flight. Good luck also to get a satellite fix in a airliner cell far from any windows. ;-)

[@Ignacio.Romero]

Won't work

[@stevek8829]

You can just use your phone. Any basic gps app will give your position, altitude and speed.

[@BrettMcNary]

Put foreflight on your phone. Done.

[@stevek8829]

@@jean-manuelmoreau6471 it works fine in an airliner if you're near a window. I don't know what pressurized would have to do with it.

[@vgnruz]

Fantastic Real World Usage Video ✈️ there are literally so many Features of the Garmin Aviator watch I love and use daily. Recently USAF Retired, I received 2 Amazing Retirement Gifts, a 2023 Jeep 4XE and a Garmin MARQ Aviator Gen 2. Absolutely treasure both “Tools”😂🙏

[@M158-o3x]

Stefan, the D2 mach 1 only works in GA type aircraft. Inside corporate and commercial heavies, the watch does not receive a signal. Mine is going back.

[@dragonage200]

Thanks for that info.. i fly airline and was thinking about getting this. Guess i’ll be getting the Fenix instead

[@tondog54]

I can tell you with 100% certainty that it barely works in GA aircraft. 😢 "Waiting for GPS" all day everyday. There's a reason none of these KZbin reviews give an actual realtime demo (notice the cuts). The O2 monitoring is also questionable, good luck getting it to work when you actually need it.

[@dragonage200]

@@tondog54 Oh yeah, my forerunner always has the waiting for GPS issues, depending the software update. On the spO2 tho, I’ve tried in out in the store, only gotten it to work 1/3 times. Apparently the watch needs to be pretty snug to your wrist, can’t be over your wrist bone, and you need to be almost absolutely still while taking a measurement

[@MikeKobb]

It would be interesting to pull the Alt. Static Source lever and then compare your altimeter with the watch. You’d expect a somewhat different reading inside the cabin from the external static port.

[@AV8OR51]

Got mine last week, I love it so far! I owned several Garmin watches including D2s, this is by far best one..

[@grandpremierexpress7941]

Could you please tell me, how is the battery? How many days in the real world with always on display?

[@AV8OR51]

@@grandpremierexpress7941 about 5 days give or take, totally depends on the number of gps-based activities

[@michaelt2682]

Step 1…..Bose A20’s Step 2….Garmin Watch Step 3…..World Domination!

[@Pilot2315]

The plane, you forgot about your own plane :D

[@jimjernigan3670]

Thanks for sharing! I was really hoping to hear the pros/cons vs the Air X10. I'm planning to get one of two as a present to myself for passing my PPL check ride soon. :-)

[@Nae395]

This is a real world review, great stuff Stefan

[@rodolfocastro3222]

Thanks! Excellent review, just what I needed.

[@carpenterfamily6198]

Fun, smart and good looking . . . and I’m not talking about the watch ! 🙂

[@beno177]

How does it integrate with ForeFlight and or its features including using Sentry? Awesome job and thank for doing what you do.

[@spiro5327]

Lots of info packed into that watch and looks great as well. Hey Stef, don't forget to pick up a bottle of red on the way home. Thanks mate

[@thebuddha1505]

Such a cute pilot god. Lots of love

[@OmanPilot]

I really appreciate, great video not too long but really helpful to make the decision between Tactix 7 and the Mach 1….

[@xjohnno]

Yay! I fly with Shannon with BASE! Also HQQ is the best!

[@Jusader]

The only thing I hoped they did differently was the band's end links! I purchased Garmin's titanium one with the curved end links, so it fits like a glove on the watch and makes it look more of a normal watch. With the straight end links, it looks like it's aftermarket, and essentially one of those "one size fits all" type of bands. Anyways, I love that the D2 Mach 1 is touchscreen, that's a huge selling point in aviation, in my opinion. It doesn't look AS fluid in some menus as you're scrolling through them, but you're getting a lot of information packed in a watch, so it's forgiving. Ultimately, the appearance of this watch is truly, in my opinion, the reason I went with one of MARQ's for surfing/boating. It doesn't look like a piece of gear. Instead, it's a watch.

[@paulogromeiro]

That’s a great review, thanks for sharing it. Btw, what are your thoughts on Garmin Tactix Delta?

[@Mike_Costello]

I like classic analogue watches, auto and or quarts depending on the design. I have a Junkers 40mm Flieger GMT now but this Garmin is calling to me! There are also Seiko dive watches calling my name. It's all so hard! I don't know what to do!

[@tyronevanwyk3652]

I suppose get the lot. Just too little time and money in my case for it all

[@RobWhittlestone]

What? Only 96% pulse with Shannon next to you?! I'm not sure you are alive!

[@alexmoreland7938]

96% is his O2 saturation. I’m sure his pulse was screaming.

[@dc4159]

Marq gen 2 Aviator review coming soon?

[@LokeshThakur]

does the tactix 7 pro have these features as well?

[@dragonage200]

Since the cabin has a slightly lower static pressure than the outside, it’s actually quite accurate for the watch to be indicating slightly higher altitude. Same thing as when you’re using alternate static. It’d be great if someone test could test that out, and compare the watch vs alternate static altitude

[@glennwatson]

It's tempting to buy but I just can't get past the fact it's like 3 flight lessons and all the info is on your iPad. Maybe as a present to myself when I pass my PPL.

[@pilotwasif]

Great review, I agree with your last argument Stefan, not for student pilots…already on tight budget.

[@StefanDrury]

Thanks Wasif

[@007anaHalf]

Hey stef whens the next EYZ flight ?

[@rickbarrington]

What’s typical battery life like on the watch when using it in aviation mode?

[@itzdilpickle3679]

Love ur stuff! Keep it up

[@StefanDrury]

Thanks, will do

[@kevindennis9227]

Lovely watch. Really torn between the epic 2 and this one. My decision to go with the epix instead was that Garmin told me they don’t update the pilot watches on the same schedule as their base models to prevent interference with the pilot apps. In the past the fenix line got regular updates and the pilot ones didn’t get as many. For $1200 I want them to make sure my watch is up to date on its software. Plus, I have access to all of the features on ForeFlight or on the nav equipment. If they told me they update it as frequently as the base model, I would have gotten it for the coolness factor.

[@Formula1Fail84]

Do you have plans for Albert park Sunday? (F1 fan)

[@k1mgy]

It's a watch. So, does it keep good time? Does it synchronize time with standards? How long will that fancy thing run before the battery dies? ;)

[@jimmy_roffa]

Great video! Can u connect and will it work with Garmin Pilot on Flight simulator/x-plane mode? Would be awesome.

[@icun2212]

The D2 Air X10 is still in my wishlist, and now Garmin has released another one?

[@techandco.]

Paid by Garmin.... Thank you!

[@alikeskin37]

What is the battery capacity? How many hours or days we can use plase?

[@kennethcampingdiary1976]

Will normal fenix 7 work as GpS tracker on plane?

[@alikeskin37]

What is the battery capacity? How many day can we use?

[@timstewart2468]

Hi Stefan, you mention you are a Garmin Pilot user, is that in addition to OzRunways / AvPlan or have you switched? Do you have any video that describes, reviews or compares Garmin Pilot? Thanks.

[@shortfieldadventures6138]

Hi Stefan! This is a bit out of the blue and off topic, but I thought it would be worth letting you know about it and extend the invitation. This year marks 50 years since my great great aunt and pilot Max price went missing in a tiger moth and were never found. The flight was to stop the damming of Lake Pedder. On the 8th of September we are planing to run a commemoration flight from Hobart to Canberra as per the plan 50 years ago. I will be flying a plane from Brisbane down to a strip just west of Melbourne to accompany the tiger moth across Bass Strait and then also be accompanying for the remainder of the event. If you were interested in joining in on this adventure I know all of us involved in the saving of lake Pedder would love to have you come along on our support team and other planes. Look forward to hearing from you 🤘

[@truballa2k3]

Is this a worthwhile upgrade over the D2 Air?

[@Desert515]

How is the battery life I’m lucky to get 2 days out of mine

[@jetthethird]

Is the altitude indicator accurate in the watch?

[@MarkNewtonFlies]

Quick question, Stef: I think you have avidyne flight displays. Why do you use Garmin Pilot as an EFB? I always thought that the main strength of Garmin Pilot was wireless integration with Garmin glass cockpit systems, and if you didn’t have one of those then a locally produced EFB like OzRunways or AvPlan (which you used to use?) would be more featureful. Is it because Garmin Pilot has global coverage and you want to fly around the world?

[@glujaz]

He has Garmin avionics (the GPS/COM are GTN650, and in this video, they were GNS430). The Avydine avionics simply display what the GNS and GTN in position COM1 are sending to him.

[@StefanDrury]

Hey Mark, it's for a few reasons but you covered the main ones - a) integration with the GTN650 navigation units I have in EYZ (for iPad to Avionics live data transfer), b) for Worldwide coverage for future projects, c) I use Jeppesen charts and they integrate with Garmin Pilot but not AvPlan/OzRunways (at least not a few years ago when I started using GP). I do still have an AvPlan subscription though and use this for flight planning and local info that I can't get from GP (country airstrip guide, etc).

[@MarkNewtonFlies]

@@StefanDrury It’s funny: Since I did glass panel upgrades last year, I almost never use the EFB in flight. If OzR had Connext integration like Foreflight so I could use it to fling flight plan updates around that’d be nirvana, but I can’t see that happening any time soon.

[@alianjohnson6035]

does it have a watch?

[@jean-manuelmoreau6471]

So do you keep the watch ?

[@experimental_av]

By itself it's an amazing piece of tech. But who is this really for is an interesting question. I mean if you have an iPad in your cockpit it would be hard to argue that the watch adds much functionality. And if you don't you can buy two iPad Minis for the price of such a watch. There is certainly a huge lifestyle factor to buying one.

[@BrettMcNary]

Well said. Another gimmicky product that is useless. Watches are antiquated, everyone has a cellphone with the time on it anyway

[@PartiHippo]

@@BrettMcNary ehh idk about for pilots but garmin smart watches can be pretty useful. I used mine to navigate me out of a Forrest when lost without any cell reception and was able to buy a beer while my phone charged.

[@stickyfox]

It's already hard to justify paying over $1000 to take instruments already in the cockpit and duplicate them on your wrist in tiny form with no physical controls, such that you need to take your hand off of some other control just to look at them.

[@garymarsh2871]

Really enjoying your videos, haven't flown in 14 years, but my last two 3.5 hour flights were in a Cirrus with the rego HQQ. Based out of Parafield SA. Hoping to get back in the air and take my wife and children up. Got around 150 hours, but that was 14 years ago. Just trying to catch up on whats been happening in the Aviation world in that time..... Might have to upgrade my Fenix 6 to the D2......:)

[@leqhekatsotetsi3521]

All the best Gary. 👨🏽‍✈️

[@kylewood17]

Just a cool gadget

[@NzScruff]

How much is the Mach 1? The D2 Air X10 is about $950nzd

[@nathanpeters7033]

Do you reckon this would be usable as an airline pilot (granted we don't need the database + VOR/ILS stuff) would would be good to have a good watch to fly in? Would it update as i assume if it uses Bluetooth from a phone at 41,000ft we don't get too much signal

[@J4ie]

My flight school is gonna give me one of those if I can complete my hours before my friend lol

[@StefanDrury]

You're at the right flight school then!

[@J4ie]

@@StefanDrury perks of living in a small town lol

[@AustNRail]

Your flight school is overcharging you by the sounds of it.

[@J4ie]

@@AustNRail I paid 5k total

[@coneire6341]

Does this watch require an active subscription to the Garmin Pilot app exclusively or is it compatible with other apps? Asking because I'm not sure if all the features are available otherwise.

[@jaym2084]

I was seriously considering buying one of these, but this video talked me out of it. So, thanks for saving me a fair amount of money. It does not integrate with ForeFlight - sorry, Garmin, but ForeFlight is the real standard. It is not accurate for altitude, so what else? It is a beautiful watch and I really wanted one, but I'll wait until someone gets it right.

[@user-xp9hu8sg9o]

How much is it? Where can I buy it?

[@DownunderAviation]

I watch your TikToks amazing video stef

[@StefanDrury]

Thanks, I'm enjoying making content over there. I appreciate you following.

[@DownunderAviation]

No problem stef love your videos mare

[@Pete-h3u]

In Lak’ech Ala K’in!

[@snatr]

I'd love to own one of these just for the gadget factor. The only real piloting use can see other than playing around might be a last resort backup though 🤔 Edit: Let me add to the second part of that... This could be really quite useful to those in a less complicated cockpit. I'm thinking sailplanes or even paramotors 🤔

[@mbirth]

Find a cheap Fenix 5 Plus (or 5X Plus) and flash the firmware of the D2 Delta watch to it. (Sadly this doesn't work for newer models as Garmin started to encrypt their firmwares.)

[@snatr]

@@mbirth Cool. But complicated 😋

[@jfpilot7100]

what justify the price difference between the D2 Mach 1 and the D2 Air X10?

[@Warka400]

The main difference is the moving map (not only aviation, but also cycling or hiking) on the Mach 1.

[@ysesq]

+ have to charge it daily. smartwatches are crap. my casio gps solar never gets charged and still gives gps.

[@StefanDrury]

Single charge lasts about 8 days on this watch. Less if you're using the GPS heavily of course, but the battery life on this is incredible. Way better than an Apple Watch as a comparison.

[@AustNRail]

Nice tech toy.

[@HonorV2ultimate1tb]

i am a pilot and wud like to own it....but it looks toooo sisssyy small...less than 1.6inch display?

[@milk-it]

It's a great watch, but my Omega Speedmaster with a diameter of 42 mm barely fits my thin wrist, so 47 mm is just going to be too big :-(.

[@Bearhawk_Life]

I see you are a Garmin ambassador, do you have discount codes? I am an ambassador for Revo and they give me to share, I would love to get a code for the D2 Air x10

[@BrucevanZyl]

Ages 38-55 is fastest growing group on tiktok, so not so crazy 😜

[@AngusMurray]

Watch out IWC

[@chartphred1]

Nice, if you can afford the INSANE PRICE!!

[@garys8432]

Well I would go out and buy EXCEPT what happenned to Solar ? give that option even with more $ and it would then be an absolute winner. (ok, power charging as emeegency option only)

[@austinformedude]

literally NO ONE is going to use this when flying LOL

[@jetthethird]

May I ask why?

[@CaptPBBiney-oj7lf]

I know right, it doesn't make sense lol

[@CaptPBBiney-oj7lf]

I mean if your instrument fails, then it may be of use

[@luisfernando5998]

What if when main instruments got a problem

[@Tony_P]

Why do pilots speak so quickly when using comms ? I mean , the one time that clear information is so important , lets see who can convey that the fastest , for no apparent reason .....

[@Tony_P]

@@Jay151 Thanks. That makes sense. Although personally I struggle to take it all in , I guess that's why I don't work in aviation 😁

[@Ryan-zc1tz]

@@Tony_P When you are immersed in the aviation environment everyday, it becomes a language you speak and understand.

[@henryyandell3222]

If only it could go Mach 2

[@ka3ax85]

no foreflight integration is a killer. Our company is pushing more towards Foreflight integration in all aspects.

[@hudsonhawk90]

This video is an immediate turn off for a professional pilot. This is just an overpriced garbage for functions that are already available on any FMS and EFB.

[@toonyaviation790]

Love the videos, can you review my dads landings. I post the on my channel “toony aviation”

[@captmulch1]

Noice ...

[@78779]

Gimmicky

[@heinrichmunter6221]

isnt there an Apple Watch App that could similar? ...

[@pedrobudders4454]

I have owned several Garmin and yes this is a lovely looking watch, but it does have some bad points. 1) no one in reality would use this over an iPad at best it’s an emergency back up. 2) Garmin seem to have aloud advertising to pop up on your screen under the sneaky caveat of user notifications. Garman is such a big company I found Trying to work out who is responsible is very hard. 3) in my experience Flying a PA 28 it’s just not accurate enough. 4) the depreciation rate on this watch is such that you might as well write off £1000. Sorry to be the party pooper. In summary attractive looking watch but I am doubtful whether This watch is worth the money. I bought it because I like gadgets and thats my weakness.

[@philipbre]

It's a cool gimmick. But as a pilot I see no use for this. Give me a Swiss quarts watch for flying. Can do automatic/mechanical as well. (I hate the idea of needing to charge my watch everyday as well)

[@stickyfox]

A Swiss quartz watch is like putting nitrous on a Tesla.

[@chrisg1234fly]

Me too. I wonder how high AGL this thing will go before it cant pick up the data. Cant find this info.

[@ggcapitano]

I’m pretty sure the purpose of him doing this video is to prove that this watch is an absolute piece of shit for flying

[@RosssRoyce]

Lol I also call my airfield “airport”

[@alexanderordinary2110]

Great!! Now you guys just have to put them on those crazy kangaroos jumping around and being a nuisance....

[@gabrielpeacock5642]

Damn wish I 1k for this would make life real easy

[@lucywucyyy]

needing an app to use it sucks

[@donavonlarney]

wrist computers don't qualify as a watch.

[@DJ99777]

Not in my price range.

[@geoffwyness2645]

Question…what do you call this when the battery is dead ? Answer…Junk!

[@GabrielGarcia-gm5ug]

So in other words save your money and rely on your instruments

[@HonorV2ultimate1tb]

who is this watch for?..... anyone with $$$$. and likes it😅

[@borislopatinsky]

Useless expensive...

[@johnhoward563]

Spoilt brats with loads of money